[Video]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ Only a thin line to his lips might hint at annoyance in this arrogant face as it peers through the device he'd been handed. A moment passes without a word, then he almost rolls his eyes as he finally makes a comment that is likely expected of many who come here. ]

Yandan. Fifteen.

[ That should do it. True, the bracelet has been removed that would force her to either come within that distance, or be flung that far away. But if she can hear him, she must obey.

It's enough. ]

Comments

{Video; UN: muhan}

[dontbestubborn]

{Is it enough? Yingyuan's face is observed by Xuanye and though he wears his mask when he responds, his tone warms:}

Yingyuan, she is not here.

[Video]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ His eyes narrow just a little at that statement. There is no recognition in his face as he studies the masked face. ]

How do you know her?

[ How his name is known is immaterial, even if this man speaks so familiarly to him. ]

[Video]

[dontbestubborn]

{Which is sort of the point. The mask gives him time to react to this...to understand how he feels...}

She and I have not met. I know she is important to you.

[Video]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ He doesn't let himself react visibly, no matter how the knowing words make his heart race and a shiver of dread slide down his spine. ]

She is an attendant. Nothing more.

[Video]

[dontbestubborn]

{He laughs lowly, deeply amused.}

Why hide it? Has Heaven become so warped?

[Video]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ He gives himself just enough freedom to roll his eyes...then ends the connection.

She isn't here.

He stares internally at the pain that awareness brings him, and what it means. Oh, he knows. He knows. But allowing others to so plainly speak of it? No. He can't.

It would destroy him.

Worse? It would destroy her. And that, he will not allow. ]

{Action}

[dontbestubborn]

{Honey.

He knows how to find you.

So he does. Xuanye removes his mask as he approaches Yingyuan, smirking ever so faintly. You think life's hard, kid? Try being an Asura.}

Didn't they teach you manners?

[tortoiseflipper]

[ He's not exactly hiding! But also not really anywhere most people would think to look.

So being found, and so easily, leaves him curious again. Until that mask comes off. His eyes widen as he stares. Who...? How?

He knows that face - his own. And yet that mark...! There can be no doubt who this is. Not having a name just takes a backseat to that question. He raises a brow, a slight smirk of his own tugs at his lips.

How to feel about this, he doesn't know. But it doesn't really matter at the moment. ]

Does it matter?

[dontbestubborn]

{He wonders how much Yingyuan knows about him, about Ranqing. Heaven wouldn't have supported a union like theirs, so if Yingyuan is part of that realm, he has likely been kept in the dark about a lot.

No matter.}

You need a place to stay. Yandan isn't here to look after you, so I guess I'll pick up where she left off, hm?

[tortoiseflipper]

[ Only that his father was an Asura, and his mother an attendant of the heavens. That he should never have been born.

That he has to keep his identity a secret.

Now? One look at them would fling every attempt he's made to keep it a secret, right out the window.

Maybe that doesn't matter here? There is so much he doesn't actually know, enough to know he doesn't know it.

Amusement threatens to widen the slight smirk, but he restrains it with a lifetime of practice. ]

Is that all you are? Another attendant?

[ They both know better. ]

[dontbestubborn]

{An attendant! The cheek!}

I'm helping you out of the goodness of my heart!

{Xuanye is the King of the Asura and, for a time, he was the Emperor of Heaven too.}

Here, your mother would have preferred this too.

{The red mark on his forehead disappears.}

I am Xuanye or, as your mother named me, Muhan.

[tortoiseflipper]

[ The smirk widens on its own and he glances around - as if they're about to be descended upon by heavenly officials.

Then his mother is mentioned and it takes effort to keep his hands from clenching, to keep himself in check. To not step forward and demand more information.

It does nothing to keep the intensity from his gaze as it returns to his father. His father's name...

Is Muhan. Is Xuanye.

The disappearance of the red mark on the other's forehead is noted, but ignored. He knows that trick too. ]

And her name...?

[Video; UN: grapefairy]

[watergrape]

[Because I had to.]

Is that a riddle?

[tortoiseflipper]

[ RUDE

For the span of a moment, he's stunned. This woman looks just like his Yandan - and yet different. It makes his heart ache and miss her even more, and he works hard to stamp it back. ]

A command that she would know.

[watergrape]

[♥?

Jin Mi stares back at him and tries to read his expression. But he's a tough one! She wants to poke his cheeks.]

Is she a soldier?

[tortoiseflipper]

[ <3!

Yingyuan just stares back, fighting with himself for composure. ]

No. She's one of my attendants.

[watergrape]

I was one of those once! Before I learned I'm actually a goddess. [There are...similarities. Poor Yingyuan.]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ Don't mind the ice shield around his heart cracking. His gaze roams around before settling back on the...goddess' face. ]

What is your name?

[watergrape]

Jin Mi. [She answers cheerfully.] Do you need someone to help you? I can bring you food and flowers.

[tortoiseflipper]

[ Food and...flowers? ]

If you want to.

My name is Yingyuan.

[watergrape]

[For healing!]

Alright, Yingyuan, where are you?

[tortoiseflipper]

[ He pauses before giving the location where his father has decided he's living. ]

[Action]

[watergrape]

[And she is putting together a ridiculously overflowing welcome basket. The poor man looks like he needs it! Her wings flutter as she tries to carry said basket to him - as if they can help. Of course they can't.

At his door, she knocks with her foot.]

[Action]

[tortoiseflipper]

[ Just. Like. What. Yandan. Would. Do.

Hearing the knock, he gestures to let the door swing open for her. At least by now he's alone, if perhaps just for the moment. She'll find him sitting by the window. ]

Audio; un: BurningRed

[thelastchoice]

I'd say that you look surprisingly mature for fifteen, but I've seen some pretty strange age-face match ups, I guess! Nice to meet you Yandan! I'm Ritsuka! Twenty-three.

[ If he didn't just reluctantly introduce himself, there sure is not a single hint in her chipper voice that she's being sarcastic. ]